A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO TRUMPET ORCHESTRAL EXCERPTS: AN ANALYSIS OF EXCERPTS BY BARTÓK, BEETHOVEN, MAHLER, AND MUSSORGSKY

Abstract

Orchestral excerpts have become one of the most, if not the most important component of classical trumpet education in the last 50 years. This monograph discusses how trumpet orchestral excerpts grew in importance and how the demand for it catalyzed a rush for publications. As the number of trumpet players grew exponentially more than the supply of orchestral jobs, the mindset toward perfect performances of these excerpts began to narrow the focus of learning to an emphasis on technical proficiency. Context and the understanding of how the trumpet part relates to the other instruments in the orchestra are relegated in priority. This monograph aims to restore a holistic and comprehensive approach to learning with an in-depth analysis of harmony, compositional techniques, and historical and musical contexts.